Working With Us

Children’s Program Internships

The Visiting Students Program offers a week-long residential Waldorf-based immersion experience to class grades 3 through 10 as well as non-residential day programming and off-site outreach opportunities to local schools. During the school year classes visit from both Waldorf and non-Waldorf based schools to stay on the farm for one week. Interns and full-time Education Program Managers host the classes and lead farm-based learning activities. Over the course of their five-day stay students learn interdependence through activities such as baking bread, cleaning the barn, gardening, riding horses, animal care, preparing meals, exploring our woods, making handcrafts, learning map and orienteering skills and many other activities, depending upon grade level.

The Visiting Students Program Internship is a meaningful way to gain knowledge and insight into place-based and farm-based teaching, as well as to learn about Waldorf pedagogy. There are opportunities to explore Hawthorne Valley’s other varied program offerings through scheduled intern enrichment activities. Compensation includes room and board (organic mostly vegetarian meals) plus a monthly stipend. If you are at least 21 years of age, enjoy working with children, have a love of the outdoors, animals and farm life, consider joining us!

Responsibilities:

Lead place-based residential farm and nature activities on a daily basis with groups of 6 to 9 children

Provide a nurturing and responsive environment to students and guests of program

Share daily and weekend animal care and periodic weekend programming

Desired Qualifications:

Experience working with children in an outdoor setting and leading hands-on activities;

A good work ethic with an ability to maintain an atmosphere of teamwork using strong communications and organizational skills;

Ability to live on campus in shared living quarters;

Some practical knowledge of farming, animal care, gardening, making crafts and an interest in Waldorf education is a plus;

A personal passion, energy and drive to enthusiastically work with children;

The ability to lift and carry 50 pounds;

Age of 21 or older.

The Spring Internship starts mid-January and ends the first week of June. The Fall Internship begins in late August and ends in early December. There are three to four positions available per semester.

Please forward a completed Hawthorne Valley Application for Employment and include a letter of interest, your current resume and contact information for three work references (preferably employers who have seen you working with children) to Indigo Ocean. Your full name and Children’s Program Intern should be in your email subject line. Or please mail your application to: Hawthorne Valley Farm, Main House, 327 County Route 21C, Ghent, NY 12075 ATTN: Indigo Ocean, or fax to: 518-672-7608. For more information please call Indigo Ocean at 518-672-4465 x 234.

Camp Counselor Positions

For over 30 years Hawthorne Valley Farm has provided young campers ages 8 to 16 the opportunity to spend their summers in a no-tech, nature-based, Waldorf-inspired camp on our 900-acre working Biodynamic® farm. Our campers and staff enjoy long summer days on the farm – swimming in the pond, working in our gardens, fields and with the livestock, hiking in our hills and enjoying organic home-cooked mostly vegetarian meals made from produce freshly-harvested from the farm.

Hawthorne Valley has employment opportunities at three Summer Camps: Kids Can Cook day camp (ages 8-13), and the residential Farm Field Camp (ages 12-16) and Farm House Camp (ages 8-12). All camps offer a variety of activities to children who are interested in working with our farm animals, growing vegetables in our gardens and fields, and enjoying a good old-fashioned summer in the country. Staffing opportunities are available for both day and residential camps for counselors, cooks, and medical staff. Our Kids Can Cook program also has two Junior Counselor opportunities.

Successful candidates for all camps require:

A genuine love for working with children in an outdoor setting;

Experience with and the capacity to lead activities such as crafts, cooking, farm chores, gardening and discovering the outdoors with children of varying ages and abilities;

The ability to safely oversee up to 10 enthusiastic campers, follow program guidelines, and manage time well;

The ability to work full, long days in a farm setting and enjoy working outside in all weather conditions. All camps have a six (6) day work week;

The stamina and strength to stand and walk for several hours without a break, and lift and carry up to 30 lbs.;

A basic understanding of sustainable agriculture, farm work, local food and place-based learning is a plus;

Good communication skills, a can-do attitude, enthusiasm and endurance to work with children on a daily basis, the ability to set a good example for our campers and a love of the outdoors is mandatory;

Residential staff must be able to live and work closely with their co-workers in small, rustic accommodations including participating in family-style meals with the campers in our Dining Hall.

Applicants should be available for the full duration – training through camp – and be able to commit to their work schedule.

At least 21 years of age (except Junior Counselors and Cooks).

All staff must pass a thorough background check, provide three (3) references – two of which must be professional – provide copies of all appropriate licenses and certifications, complete the camp medical forms and proof of their right to work in the United States.

Kids Can Cook Day Camp requires one (1) full week of mandatory pre-camp training; Dining Hall staff, Field and House Camp Counselors require two (2) full weeks of mandatory training.